Virus unable to prevent double (From Hereford Times)

Virus unable to prevent double

1:40pm Sunday 29th August 2010

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A VIRUS which spread through the ranks could not stop Hereford United from completing a memorable double at the Welsh International Super Cup in Aberystwyth.

Hereford United won titles at under-16 and under-18 levels despite losing the influential Joe Lemar with a virus which struck down other players on the trip.

The under-16 hero was Dale Brook who saved four penalties in a semi-final penalty shoot-out victory over Aberystwyth Academy.

Coach Colin Williams said: “We made a triumphant return to England with two trophies after a hard week of matches.

“It was a great opportunity to introduce four new players to the under-16s and it was pleasing that all bar four of the under-18 team found the net.”

Former United defender Gareth Davies travelled to watch the progress of the young Hereford players.

United’s under-18 team opened with a 3-0 win over an Aberystwyth Select side and then beat Caereinion 3-1. They thrashed Churchstoke 6-0 and Corris, 4-1, in the quarter-finals.

The under-18 team booked their place in the final for a fourth successive year after hammering TNS 6-0 in the last-four.

Churchstoke put up a good fight against United but goals from Jack Biggs, Will Loughman and Joel Edwards sealed a 3-0 triumph for the Bulls.

Hereford’s under-16 side started their campaign with a 3-3 draw against Aberystwyth Academy after being hit with two poor refereeing decisions.

They responded with a 6-0 thrashing of Tregaron 360 and followed up with a 2-1 success over Caersws and a 9-0 drubbing of an Aberystwyth Select team.

The under-16s then battered Padarn United 9-1 in a match that the referee stopped 25 minutes from the end.

Brook was the hero of their semi-final win over Aberystwyth Academy after the tie had finished goalless.

The goalkeeper saved four out of five spot-kicks to book his side a place in the final against Wirral-based Boris Park.

A brace from Matty Lattibeaudire and Josh Hunt strike gave United the title with a hard-fought 3-0 success over the Wirral outfit.